U.S. Senator Jim Risch - ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Jim Risch - ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho and the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has introduced the Stand with Israel Act. This legislation aims to halt U.S. funding to United Nations agencies that take actions against Israel, such as expelling or downgrading its participation.
The bill is supported by 33 other senators, including Tom Cotton, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy, Dan Sullivan, Steve Daines, Mike Lee, Kevin Cramer, John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Eric Schmitt, Rick Scott, John Kennedy, Mike Crapo, Roger Wicker, Shelley Moore Capito, Marco Rubio, Joni Ernst, Ron Johnson, Markwayne Mullin, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, Susan Collins, Tim Scott, Josh Hawley, James Lankford, John Thune, Deb Fischer Marsha Blackburn Katie Britt John Hoeven Jerry Moran John Boozman and Roger Marshall. It serves as a companion to a bipartisan House bill led by Representative Mike Lawler.
Senator Risch stated: “Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly antisemitic.” He further emphasized that if such actions are taken by UN member states allowing the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel's status at the UN: "the United States must stop supporting the UN system." He expressed his disapproval of these discussions and vowed to ensure any changes would have consequences.
Reports suggest that the Palestinian Authority may try to reduce Israel's status at the UN following a resolution passed on May 10th which enhanced its own standing. In response to this development earlier in the year Senator Risch introduced another piece of legislation known as No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act designed for updating existing laws related specifically towards cutting off assistance given towards entities providing additional rights privileges unto said authority.
The proposed Stand with Israel Act mirrors current prohibitions regarding funding allocations aimed towards any organization elevating PA into full-fledged membership within United Nations framework.
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